Layoffs at South Walton Fire District

[Bob Hudson]

South Walton Fire District lays off two employees
April 12, 2011 8:21 PM
Lauren Sage Reinlie, Florida Freedom Newspapers

Two South Walton Fire District employees were laid off Friday and Monday because of budget constraints, according to Fire Chief Rick Talbert.

Deputy Chief Sean Hughes had worked with the department for more than 20 years. Executive Assistant Diane Brown was with the Fire District for more than 11 years.

The decision was not made hastily, Talbert said. The layoffs are the first the district has ever had to make.

The layoffs were necessary ?to make our business model smaller and to sustain ourselves during these economic times,? Talbert said.

He said no more administrative layoffs are planned, but that the district will continue to look at every aspect of the organization to make it as lean as possible.

?The financial challenges we are faced with are not going to go away with any one action,? Talbert said.

 

[idlewind]

I applaud the effort to reduce spending by a government agency and certainly think alot of local governmental entities could cut out some of the administrative fat. That said, it is interesting that a 20 year veteran was the first to be RIF'ed. Couldn't a new hire be let go and the veteran take a operations job?

 

[Bob Hudson]

I applaud the effort to reduce spending by a government agency and certainly think alot of local governmental entities could cut out some of the administrative fat. That said, it is interesting that a 20 year veteran was the first to be RIF'ed. Couldn't a new hire be let go and the veteran take a operations job?

I understand these layoffs were due to a reorganization of the administrative staff.

I also understand more cuts are in the works in other areas.

These two cuts saved 200K plus in salary and benefits.

 

[idlewind]

I understand these layoffs were due to a reorganization of the administrative staff.

I also understand more cuts are in the works in other areas.

These two cuts saved 200K plus in salary and benefits.

The Fire District is to be commended for reducing costs without negatively impacting service. Others could take lessons.

 

[Matt J]

Unfortunately some people equate layoffs with cost savings. In all honesty I'm betting this is due to increased fuel charges and overall inflation. In other words your paying the same and getting less.

I guess the point is that the tax rate for SWFD hasn't gone down.

 

[Bob Hudson]

More than likely it has to do with their projected 2 million reduction in ad valorem taxes next year and that even with a tax increase to their 1 mil cap they would still have a deficit.

They must hold a referendum to ask the voters to increase their millage cap.

 

[NotDeadYet]

I've wondered, as I have seen the big fire truck going around to change out the beach flags, if they have done an analysis of ways to cut this cost. I understand that the truck can roll to an emergency call from whatever beach access it might be at when a call comes in, so no additional employee salaries are being used, but that truck uses a lot of fuel, and probably requires additional maintenance and adds to the hours it's been used. Could they buy a used Prius or other fuel efficient vehicle and reassign administrative staff to this task? Or set up some sort of auxiliary/volunteer program and use people from that?

 

[Arkiehawg]

The Fire District is to be commended for reducing costs without negatively impacting service. Others could take lessons.

I can assure you that letting Chief Hughes go WILL impact the level of expert leadership of the department. My best of wishes to him and gratitude for many years of service to OUR community.

 

[Matt J]

I've wondered, as I have seen the big fire truck going around to change out the beach flags, if they have done an analysis of ways to cut this cost. I understand that the truck can roll to an emergency call from whatever beach access it might be at when a call comes in, so no additional employee salaries are being used, but that truck uses a lot of fuel, and probably requires additional maintenance and adds to the hours it's been used. Could they buy a used Prius or other fuel efficient vehicle and reassign administrative staff to this task? Or set up some sort of auxiliary/volunteer program and use people from that?

I believe they only do that during the off season. I've seen the lifeguards doing it during the last couple of weeks.

 

[GoodWitch58]

sorry to hear about this. SWFD is IMO one of the best organizations around...